Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUBTo see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVESFor film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUB
UPDATED: June 23, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
Based on our initial count, we will likely have five allotted spots for outstanding limited or anthology series, and four of them already seem spoken for. Does that leave room for a surprise entry (or omission)?
The Western genre is back in full swing, and that love is palpable with producer Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” and his limited series spinoff “1883.” Led by country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, along with Sam Elliott, the Paramount+ show looks like an awards break out, similar to previous Emmy fave “Hatfields & McCoys.”
The last two years of Emmy sweeps have taught us that it’s not just what the TV Academy voters love but what they’ve watched that matters. We know that many of them took the time to view Netflix’s “Maid,” created by Molly Smith Metzler, which takes a harrowing look at the toxic relationships that surround us. Led by strong performances by real-life mother-and-daughter duo Margaret Qualley and Andie MacDowell, the show strikes a chord.
Amanda Seyfried transforms into Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in “The Dropout,” the Hulu limited series created by TV producing guru Elizabeth Meriweather. Its documentation of biotech company, based on the ABC audio podcast, dominated social media and (virtual) water cooler conversations. With the added prestige of its respected cast members, the show should be at the forefront for voters.
It was nostalgia on steroids when Hulu dropped its entertaining look at the marriage between actress Pamela Anderson and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee against the backdrop of the unauthorized dissemination of their sex tape in the 1990s. Helmed by acclaimed director Craig Gillespie and boasting transformational performances from Lily James and Sebastian Stan, the Robert Siegel-created “Pam & Tommy” could get a second wind on the road to the Emmy ceremony.
The Shonda Rhimes-produced series “Inventing Anna,” inspired by the New York Magazine article, is highlighted by excellent turns from Emmy-winner Julia Garner (also contending for Netflix’s “Ozark”) and Emmy-nominee Anna Chlumsky (who somehow never won during her run on “Veep”). Can the lighthearted takes on a true-crime saga overcome the mixed reviews from critics, or is it another case of TV voters checking off the shows they’ve seen?
FX’s “Under the Banner of Heaven” generated buzz and acclaim for its addictive plot and strong performances from its actors, most notably Andrew Garfield, who’s fresh off an Oscar nom for “Tick, Tick … Boom!” With comparisons to last year’s Emmy favorite “Mare of Easttown” and a renewed look at the Mormon church in pop culture, it will be high on voters’ watchlists.
Mike White’s satirical dramedy “The White Lotus” captured a biting look at wealth and social status in the new anthology series is up on deck and ready to take the TV Academy by storm. Featuring an all-star cast including top acting contenders Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge, the high viewership, with an exciting boost from the Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness,” will usher the series along to multiple noms (and possible wins).
A latecomer in the Emmy race, HBO’s “The Staircase” based on the documentary of the same name, lit up TV screens across the world in its thrilling depiction of Michael Peterson and his bludgeoned wife, Kathy. With Emmy nominee Colin Firth and Emmy winner Toni Collette at the top of their game, the mystery series could be a major spoiler in the race for gold.
Last year, Disney+ had the best showing of any series when “WandaVision” co-led the nomination tally across all shows. The streamer’s “Moon Knight” stars awards regulars Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke and gives voters a chance to recognize more characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Will the TV Academy check off the series created by Jeremy Slater?
Emmy-winning writer and producer Danny Strong (“Game Change”) created this timely Hulu miniseries “Dopesick” based on the book by Beth Macy that looks at America’s struggle with the opioid crisis. With a stellar ensemble that includes lead actor frontrunner Michael Keaton, the heartbreaking tale struck a chord with viewers back in late 2021, and it’s still resonating now, speaking to its narrative power.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub
The nomination round of voting runs from June 16 to June 27. The official nominations for the 74th Emmy Awards will be announced Tuesday, July 12.
The list of programs and potential nominees listed below is incomplete and is subject to change. The full television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: “The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Best Limited or Anthology Series)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television's most prestigious artistic award. There are many records held for both wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
This category has continually undergone rule changes and inceptions over the years, making it misleading to account for significant historical wins and nominations. "Prime Suspect" has the most wins in this category with three, while "American Crime Story" is right behind with two. The former also has the most nominations for a continuing series with five, while "American Horror Story" is close behind with four.
Since the beginning of this category in 1973, HBO has the most wins in this category with 11, with NBC and PBS close behind with 10. Netflix is the only streaming platform to win this category with "The Queen's Gambit" in 2021.
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Competition Program
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
- Outstanding Television Movie
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Reality Host
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
- Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Outstanding Narrator
- Outstanding Structured Program
- Outstanding Unstructured Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
- Outstanding Documentary Filmmaking
- Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Outstanding Main Title Design
- Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
- Outstanding Music for Series
- Outstanding Music for Limited Series
- Outstanding Music and Lyrics
- Outstanding Music Supervision
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes - Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
- The 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.